Method for desulphurisation of an nox storage accumulator-catalyst arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for the desulfurization of an NO x  storage catalyst situated in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, whereby, for the desulfurization, the internal combustion engine is alternatingly operated in a lean mode at λ&gt;1 and a rich mode at λ&lt;1. During the desulfurization process, the present invention provides for the progress of the desulfurization being monitored, using a change in a parameter relating to intervals (I n ), whereby the interval (I n ) lasts from the beginning of an n th  rich operating phase (T f,n ), until the measured value drops below a predetermined lambda threshold value (S f ) downstream from the NO x  storage catalyst ( 16 ). Furthermore, the progress of the desulfurization is monitored, using a change in a lambda probe voltage (U n ) downstream from the NO x  storage catalyst ( 16 ), which is determined at the end of a predetermined interval at the beginning of an n th  rich operating phase (T f,n ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for desulfurization of an NOx storage catalyst situated in an exhaust duct of a combustion engine.

[0002] It is well known that catalysts, in particular NO_(x) storage catalysts, are used to purify exhaust gases of combustion engines. In this case, the combustion engine is preferably operated in a lean mode, in which the lambda value is greater than 1, i.e. there is an excess of oxygen in relation to the amount of fuel in the air-fuel mixture. In this operating mode, the proportion of environmentally harmful exhaust-gas components formed, such as carbon monoxide CO and incompletely burned hydrocarbons HC, is relatively small, and, thanks to the excess oxygen, they can be completely converted into compounds that are environmentally less relevant. On the other hand, the relatively large amounts of nitrogen oxides NO_(x) formed in the lean mode cannot be completely reduced and are stored in the NO_(x) storage catalyst in the form of nitrates. The NO_(x) absorber is regenerated in regular intervals, in which the combustion engine is operated in a lean mode at λ≦1, and the reducing agents CO, HC, and H₂ are formed to a sufficient extent, so that the stored nitrogen oxides can be quantitatively converted to nitrogen. In the rich mode, the release of nitrogen oxides from the NO_(x) storage catalyst is aided by high temperatures at the catalyst.

[0003] In addition to the described storage of NOx, the unwanted storage of SO_(x) in the form of sulfates also occurs in the NO_(x) absorber in the lean mode. The absorption of SO_(x) reduces the storage capacity of the absorber and the catalytically active surface area of the catalyst. Furthermore, the formation of sulfate particles can also bring about corrosive processes on the surface of the catalyst and cause irreversible damage to the NO_(x) storage catalyst.

[0004] It is known to periodically carry out desulfurization processes, which include supplying rich exhaust gas, i.e. exhaust gas having a λ≦1, to the NO_(x) storage catalyst, and setting a minimum temperature of approximately 600° C. that exceeds the NO_(x) desorption temperature.

[0005] According to DE 198 358 08, the desulfurization is preferably not carried out in a constant rich mode of the combustion engine, at a rich lambda value, but rather by alternatingly supplying the NO_(x) storage catalyst with rich and lean exhaust gas. In this manner, the release of poisonous and malodorous hydrogen sulfide H₂S, whose formation is kinetically inhibited with respect to in favor of the desired formation of sulfur dioxide SO₂, can be suppressed almost completely.

[0006] The need for desulfurization is determined, e.g. using NO_(x) sensors, by detecting decreasing NO_(x) storage activity or an NO_(x) breakthrough in the lean exhaust gas. In so doing, a fall in the NO_(x) storage activity is detected by comparing the measured NO_(x) flow rate to a measured or modeled NO_(x) flow-rate characteristic of a regenerated NO_(x) storage catalyst. For lack of suitable sulfur sensors, sulfur contamination can presently only be inferred from falling NO_(x) activity, and not on the basis of a direct sulfur measurement.

[0007] As is the case with determining the necessity for desulfurization, the success of a desulfurization process can also only be determined on the basis of the NO_(x) concentrations in front of and behind the catalyst, by merely detecting a recovery of the NO_(x) activity. In this case, one also deduces that a residual amount of sulfur remains, by comparing the measured NO_(x) flow rate to the state of a regenerated NO_(x) storage catalyst. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not possible to check the progress during the desulfurization itself, but rather its success can only be assessed after the desulfurization is finished. Since, in order to accomplish this, the NO_(x) storage catalyst must first be re-cooled to the working temperature of approximately 200° C. to 500° C. and, when desulfurization is unsuccessful, reheated to the desulfurization temperature of greater than 600° C., this method is associated with higher fuel consumption. On the other hand, excessively long desulfurization procedures can thermally damage the NO_(x) storage catalyst.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for the desulfurization of a generic NO_(x) storage catalyst situated in an exhaust duct of a combustion engine, which allows the progress of the desulfurization to be monitored in an analog manner during the desulfurization process. In so doing, the formation of H₂S should, on one hand, be suppressed and, on the other hand, the desulfurization time should be adjusted to the actual state of contamination of the NO_(x) storage catalyst, so that the fuel consumption is kept low and excessive thermal damage to the NO_(x) storage catalyst may be prevented.

[0009] The object of the present invention is achieved by a desulfurization method having the features specified in the independent claims 1 and 9. It was found that the decreasing amount of stored sulfates in the course of desulfurization caused increasingly smaller amounts of reducing agent to be consumed during the rich operating phases. Associated with this is the observation of increasingly shorter intervals, in which significant sulfate reduction occurs. In this manner, the present invention allows the progress of desulfurization to be monitored, using a curve of the size of intervals during the desulfurization process, the interval lasting from the beginning of a rich operating phase until the lambda value downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst falls below a specifiable lambda threshold value. In this case, the threshold value is less than 1 and greater than a preselected lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst.

[0010] A preferred refinement of the method according the present invention provides for the beginning of a rich operating phase being defined by the point at which the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst falls below the specifiable lambda threshold value.

[0011] A further preferred refinement of the method provides for the difference of an n_(th) interval and a preceding (n−i)_(th) being calculated, i denoting a positive whole number. When the difference falls below a specifiable limiting value for the difference at least once, the desulfurization is ended. In this connection, it is particularly preferable to calculate the difference of the n_(th) interval and an (n−1)_(th) interval directly preceding it.

[0012] An advantageous development of the method provides for the size of an interval corresponding to its temporal length. Therefore, an n_(th) interval may be determined by measuring the time at which it begins and ends. An alternative refinement of the method according the present invention provides for the mass of exhaust gas passing through the NO_(x) storage catalyst for the duration of an interval determining the size of the interval. For example, this mass may be determined by a mass flow rate sensor for air that is known per se. According to a further, preferred refinement, a higher accuracy may be achieved by measuring the size of an interval, using the mass of reducing agent passing through the NO_(x) catalyst during the interval. The mass of reducing agent passing through may be calculated in a known manner, from the measured mass of exhaust gas passing through and the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst.

[0013] According to a further method of the present invention, the progress of the desulfurization process may also be monitored, using the time characteristic of a lambda-probe voltage downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst, the lambda-probe voltage being ascertained after a specifiable interval after the beginning of an n_(th) rich operating phase, since, when customary step-response lambda probes and constant, rich operating phases are used, the lambda-probe voltage measured in back of the NO_(x) storage catalyst assumes higher and higher values as the desulfurization progresses. This in turn can be attributed to the decreasing amount of stored sulfates, which causes the lambda value behind the NO_(x) storage catalyst to decrease earlier and earlier during a rich operating phase.

[0014] In a preferred refinement of the method according to the present invention, the progress of desulfurization is assessed by measuring the lambda-probe voltage behind the NO_(x) storage catalyst after a specifiable period of time after the beginning of each rich operating phase, and by tracking its characteristic over the time period of desulfurization.

[0015] In further, alternative embodiments, the lambda-probe voltage is measured after a specifiable mass of reducing agent or exhaust gas passes through, after the beginning of each rich operating phase, and the curve of the lambda-probe voltage is tracked.

[0016] Furthermore, is especially preferable for the specifiable interval to correspond to the length of the rich operating phases, regardless of whether the interval is a period of time, a mass of exhaust gas, or a mass of reducing agent. This refinement provides for the maximum lambda-probe voltage in back of the NO_(x) storage catalyst being ascertained at the end of each rich operating phase.

[0017] Further preferred embodiments of the present invention follow from the remaining features specified in the dependent claims.

[0018] The present invention is explained below in detail, using exemplary embodiments and the corresponding drawing. The figures show:

[0019]FIG. 1 the set-up of a catalytic-converter system in an exhaust duct of a combustion engine;

[0020]FIG. 2 the curve of a lambda value measured in front of and behind an NO_(x) storage catalyst during desulfurization;

[0021]FIG. 3 a curve of the time interval versus the number of rich operating intervals;

[0022]FIG. 4 the curve of a lambda value measured in front of and behind an NO_(x) storage catalyst during a dynamically controlled desulfurization process; and

[0023]FIG. 5 a curve of the lambda-probe voltage behind the NO_(x) storage catalyst during desulfurization.

[0024] The set-up of a catalytic-converter system 10 in an exhaust duct 12 of a combustion engine 14 is schematically represented in FIG. 1. Catalytic-converter system 10 includes an NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, a preliminary catalyst 18, as well as various temperature sensors 22. In addition, gas sensors 19, 20, 21 are situated at different positions in exhaust duct 12. These gas sensors are used to detect at least one gas component of an exhaust gas of combustion engine 14, and transmit a signal to engine control unit 24 as a function of the concentration of the measured gas component. Such gas sensors 19, 20, 21 are well known and may be lambda probes or NO_(x) sensors.

[0025] All of the signals supplied by temperature sensors 22 and gas sensors 19, 20, 21 are transmitted to an engine control unit 24. A working mode of combustion engine 14 can be controlled by engine control unit 24 in response to the measured gas values. If, for example, a working mode having λ≦1, i.e. a rich atmosphere, is necessary, then the oxygen concentration in an intake manifold 26 is reduced upstream from combustion engine 14, in that engine control unit 24 reduces, for example, the volumetric flow rate of air drawn in, using a throttle valve 28, and/or directs low-oxygen exhaust gas back through an exhaust-gas return valve 30, into intake manifold 26. This increases the concentrations of the reducing gas components CO, HC, and H₂ in the exhaust gas in relation to the concentration of oxygen.

[0026] However, in order to set a working mode having λ>1, i.e. a lean atmosphere, throttle valve 28 is opened. Under these conditions, in which a deficiency of reducing gas components prevails in the exhaust gas, these gas components can almost be completely converted, i.e. oxidized, in preliminary catalyst 18, whereas nitrogen oxides NOx, of which there is an excess, and also SO₂, are absorbed in NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. In recurring intervals, the catalyst is supplied with a rich exhaust gas as a function of the NO_(x) storage capacity, in order to regenerate the catalyst. In the process, the previously absorbed NO_(x) is reduced on a catalytically active surface of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. However, SO₂ simultaneously stored in NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 in the form of sulfate is not removed in this regeneration process, since, in contrast to the storage of NOx, the reversibility of the SO₂ storage requires considerably higher temperatures.

[0027] The need for desulfurization may be determined, for example, using the NO_(x) storage activity of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. An NO_(x) breakthrough curve can be measured by a gas sensor 21, which detects the NO_(x) concentration behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. Sulfur contamination of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 can be deduced by comparing this value to theoretical or empirical models, or to the NO_(x) concentration in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, which may be measured by at least one of the gas sensors 19 or 20. If so-called sulfur contamination of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 has occurred, then it is first brought to a temperature corresponding to or exceeding the minimum desulfurization temperature. The current temperature at NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 may be measured, for example, by temperature sensors 22.

[0028]FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, a simplified curve of a lambda value in front of and behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, during a desulfurization procedure.

[0029] In this case, the solid line represents the specifiable characteristic of the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, the lambda value being measurable by gas sensor 20. However, the dotted line represents the curve of the lambda value measured by the gas sensor 21 behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. After it is determined that desulfurization is necessary, the temperature of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 is initially set, at time t0, to the necessary desulfurization temperature, in a heating phase T_(heating). This is accomplished in a known manner by controlling, for example, at least one operating parameter of combustion engine 14 to increase the exhaust temperature.

[0030] As soon as the minimum temperature is reached at time t1, combustion engine 14 is controlled with the aid of engine control unit 24 such that, in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, a specifiable lambda value V_(m) greater than 1 sets in over the period of a first lean phase T_(m,1). Because of the dead volume of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 and the oxygen stored in it, an increase of the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 is observed after a time delay. The lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 then increases in region 40. The higher the specified value for lambda V_(m), the greater the slope of the increase. At time t2, the operating mode switches from the lean operating mode to a rich operating mode, whereupon engine control unit 24 changes combustion engine 14 over to a rich working mode so that, over a first rich phase T_(f,1), a lambda value <1 sets in in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, in accordance with setpoint selection V_(f). After the shift to the rich operating mode, the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 continues to increase for a short time in region 42, in order to then sharply decrease to a lambda value=1 in region 44. The lambda value remains at 1, until the oxygen stored in NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, the stored sulfate, and any nitrate still present are converted by the reducing agents present in excess in the rich operating phase, to the point where the lambda value begins to drift below 1 in region 48. At time t3, a change in the operating mode of combustion engine 14 is initiated again, whereby second, lean operating phase T_(m,2) begins. The reaction of the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 to changed operating conditions is in turn delayed, depending on the volume, so that, shortly after the beginning of second lean phase T_(m,2), the lambda value reaches a minimum that is below threshold value S_(f). An increase in the lambda value follows in region 50, the slope of the lambda value being a function of not only the position of lambda setpoint V_(m), but also the oxygen stored in NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 in this phase. After the oxygen storage capacity is exhausted, a steep increase in the lambda value is observed in region 40′, the slope in this region being exclusively determined by the position of lambda setpoint V_(m). After second rich phase T_(f,2) is initiated, the lambda in back of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 decreases rapidly in region 44′, after a time delay (region 42′), the decrease being followed by a phase 46′, in which the lambda value remains at λ=1.

[0031] Because the amount of stored sulfates is smaller than that in first rich phase T_(f,1), the duration of phase 46′, in which the reducing agents are completely converted, is reduced in comparison with phase 46. Consequently, the start of a lambda decline in phase 48′ in the direction of rich lambda setpoint V_(f) is observed at an earlier time after the start of the rich phase, than in first rich phase T_(f,1). This trend continues in the subsequent rich phases. Thus, the region 46″ observed in third rich phase T_(f,3) is even shorter than 46′, and the fall of the lambda value below 1 in region 48″ is observed even earlier.

[0032] The present invention now allows for the progress of desulfurization to be tracked, in that the length of a time interval I_(n), which extends from the beginning of rich operating phase to the point where the lambda value downstream from NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below a specifiable lambda threshold value S_(f), is ascertained for each rich operating phase and tracked over the course of the desulfurization. The times, at which the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 reaches or falls below lambda threshold value S_(f), are denoted in the diagram by reference numerals E1, E2, and E3. In order to ensure that a rich operating phase T_(f,n) begins in a uniform manner, it has proven advantageous to define the points A1, A2, and A3, at which the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below lambda threshold value S_(f), as the beginning of the rich operating phase. Consequently, even a less ideal curve of the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 may be considered.

[0033]FIG. 3 represents the curve of the time intervals I_(n) ascertained in the manner described, versus the number n of rich operating intervals. While time intervals I_(n) are still very long at the beginning of the desulfurization procedure, the following curve shows that they decline rapidly at first, in order to later approach a limiting value.

[0034] An interval I_(n) that practically doesn't change any more indicates that the desulfurization is essentially complete. The present invention provides for the progress of the desulfurization procedure being checked, for example, by calculating the difference of a time interval I_(n) and a preceding time interval I_(n−i). The difference of a time interval I_(n) and a time interval I_(n−1) directly preceding it is preferably determined. In FIG. 3, the interval differences between the first and second rich operating phases ΔI_(2,1) and the fourth and fifth rich operating phases ΔI_(5,4) are represented by way of example. The magnitude of interval differences ΔI_(n,n−1) declines rapidly in the course of the desulfurization procedure. The present invention now provides for the criterion for ending the desulfurization being when a currently ascertained interval difference ΔI_(n,n−1) falls below a specifiable limiting value for the difference ΔI_(G). In order to design the method to be more reliable in the case of operating fluctuations, the criterion for ending the desulfurization may be selected to be when the interval difference falls below the specifiable limiting value ΔI_(G) for the difference several times, e.g. two times.

[0035] In practice, a time interval I_(n) may be ascertained, for example, by directly detecting its beginning and ending times. This is more or less done by having the probe 20 in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 transmit the current lambda values to engine control unit 24. The time, at which the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below threshold value S_(f), is detected by engine control unit 24 and registered as the beginning of an interval I_(n). The time, at which the lambda value measured by gas probe 21 behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 also reaches threshold value S_(f), is recognized by engine control unit 24 as the end point of an interval I_(n). Engine control unit 24 subsequently calculates the length of interval I_(n) , and the difference of current interval I_(n) and a preceding interval I_(n,n−i). If engine control unit 24 determines that a preselected termination criterion was satisfied, e.g. that a limiting value ΔI_(G) for the difference was undershot, then engine control unit 24 ends the desulfurization procedure by using the actuating means for throttle valve 28 and exhaust-gas return valve 30 to control the operating conditions of combustion engine 14 in accordance with normal operation.

[0036] In contrast to the described procedure, the length of a time interval I_(n) may also be measured by determining a mass of reducing agent m_(Red,n) or exhaust gas m_(Gas,n), which flows through the exhaust system from the time at which the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below threshold value S_(f), to the time at which the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below threshold value S_(f). The mass of reducing agent m_(Red,n) may be calculated from a measured mass flow rate of exhaust gas and a lambda value, in a manner that is known per se and is not described here in further detail. The monitoring of the desulfurization, using masses of gas that have passed through instead of time intervals, has the advantage of being less sensitive to fluctuating operating conditions.

[0037] An especially preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for the operation to be shifted from a rich operating mode T_(f,n) to a lean operating mode T_(m,n), when the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falls below threshold value S_(f) (points En in FIG. 2). FIG. 4 represents the curves of the lambda values in front of and behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 for such a dynamically controlled desulfurization. In this method variant, the lengths of time intervals I_(n) and the lengths of the respective rich phases T_(f,n) exactly correspond to each other. In the course of the desulfurization method, the lengths of rich phases T_(f,n) accordingly become progressively smaller. The advantage of this refinement of the method is the successful suppression of a pollutant breakthrough, which is associated with the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 falling below 1. The above-mentioned features of execution not only apply to temporally determined intervals, but also analogously apply to intervals that are determined on the basis of the mass of exhaust gas or reducing agent.

[0038] According to an independent variant of the present method, the progress of the desulfurization process may also be tracked on the basis of the curve of a lambda-probe voltage U_(n) downstream from NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 versus time, during rich operating phases T_(f,n). Because of the decreasing amount of stored sulfates in NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, the lambda value behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 is observed to fall further and further below 1 (cf. FIG. 2), when the length of rich intervals T_(f,n) remains constant. According to the method, lambda-probe voltage U_(n) is measured after a constant, specifiable interval after the start of an n_(th) rich operating phase T_(f,n). In this context, the beginning of rich operating phase T_(f,n) may advantageously be determined again by a fall in the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 below lambda threshold value S_(f), which has the above-mentioned definition. In this case, the specifiable interval may be a time period or a specifiable mass of exhaust gas mGas or reducing agent mRed passing through NO_(x) storage catalyst 16. The specifiable interval is advantageously selected to correspond to the length of a rich operating phase T_(f,n). According to this refinement, lambda-probe voltage U_(n) is therefore measured at the end of a rich operating phase T_(f,n). The curve of the lambda-probe voltage in back of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 during the desulfurization is represented in FIG. 5. It can be seen here, that the length of a time interval I_(n) during a rich operating phase T_(f,n) progressively decreases with increasing desulfurization time, until a lambda-probe voltage U_(sf) corresponding to lambda threshold value S_(f) is reached. Associated with this is a slope of the lambda-probe voltage that becomes increasingly large during rich phases T_(f,n). An example of a useful termination criterion for the desulfurization may again be a when the difference ΔU_(n,n−i) of a lambda-probe voltage U_(n) and a preceding lambda-probe voltage U_(n−i) falls below a specifiable limiting value ΔU_(G) for the difference.

[0039] If the progress of desulfurization is monitored, using a lambda-probe voltage U_(n), then it is necessary to work with constant lengths of rich phases T_(f,n). For this reason, this specific embodiment of the present invention is associated with a breakthrough of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, which becomes increasingly intense. However, an advantage of this is that, in the individual rich phases T_(f,n), NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 and its lower catalytic layers are quantitatively flushed by the rich exhaust-gas atmosphere. This may considerably reduce the time of desulfurization.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiments listed above, the monitoring of the desulfurization method according to the present invention was explained on the basis of a curve of the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16, in accordance with a predetermined rectangular profile. However, the method of the present invention may be used with equal success, when other curves of the lambda value in front of NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 are used as a basis during the desulfurization, e.g. curves in the form of a triangular profile, or also complicated patterns. It has also proved to be advantageous, when a shift from a lean to a rich operating mode of the combustion engine is triggered by a specifiable, upper lambda threshold value S_(m) behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 being exceeded, S_(m) being selected to be greater than 1 and less than lean lambda setpoint V_(m). It is also possible to trigger the shift between lean and rich operating modes, using selected time delays after threshold values S_(m) and S_(f) behind NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 are exceeded and undershot, respectively.

[0041] In order to be able to measure the present invention's monitoring variables of time interval I_(n) or lambda-probe voltage U_(n) in an especially reproducible manner, it is useful to vary lean and rich lambda setpoints V_(m) and V_(f) as little as possible during the desulfurization. The same applies for varying the delay times when switching operating modes. In practice, strict lambda setpoints may result in undesirable effects, e.g. sudden drops in torque, under certain operating conditions. Under such conditions, a small variation in the lambda setpoints has not proven to be critical for successfully applying the method of the present invention. Fluctuations in the monitoring variables due to varying lambda setpoints may be taken into consideration by applying stricter termination criteria, such as a preselected limiting value for the difference being undershot sufficiently often.

[0042] All in all, the method of the present invention provides a sensitive instrument for monitoring the progress of desulfurization. Therefore, the duration of desulfurization may be adjusted to the actual, present need. This allows both fuel to be conserved and thermal damage to the catalyst from excessive desulfurization times to be prevented. In addition, the use of the method allows damage to the NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 not caused by sulfur to be detected, for if the expected NO_(x) storage activity is not attained again after one of the desulfurization methods according to the present invention, it can be inferred that NO_(x) storage catalyst 16 has damage not attributable to sulfur, e.g. thermal damage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the desulfurization of an NO_(x) storage catalyst situated in an exhaust duct of a combustion engine, using at least one lambda probe situated downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst, where, for the desulfurization, the combustion engine is alternatingly operated in a lean operating mode at λ>1 and a rich operating mode at λ<1, wherein the progress of the desulfurization is monitored, using a characteristic curve of the size of intervals (I_(n)) during the desulfurization process; the interval (I_(n)) lasting from the beginning of an n_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)) to the point where the lambda value downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) falls below a specifiable lambda threshold value (S_(f)); and S_(f) being less than 1 and greater than a preselected lambda value (V_(f)) in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16).
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the beginning of an n_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)) is determined by the point at which the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) falls below the specifiable lambda threshold value (S_(f)).
 3. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein a shift from a rich to a lean mode is triggered by the lambda value downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) falling below the specifiable lambda threshold value (S_(f)).
 4. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference (ΔI_(n,n−i)) of an n_(th) interval (I_(n)) and a preceding (n−i)_(th) interval (I_(n−i)) is calculated, (i) denoting a positive whole number, and the desulfurization being ended when the difference (ΔI_(n,n−i)) falls below a specifiable limiting value (ΔI_(G)) for the difference.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the difference (ΔI_(n,n−i)) of the n_(th) interval (I_(n)) and an (n−1)_(th) interval (I_(n−1)) immediately preceding it is calculated.
 6. The method as recited in one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the size of an interval (I_(n)) corresponds to its temporal length.
 7. The method as recited in one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the size of an interval (I_(n)) corresponds to the mass of exhaust gas (m_(Gas,n)) passing through the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) during the interval (I_(n)).
 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the size of an interval (I_(n)) corresponds to the mass of reducing agent (m_(Red,n)) passing through the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) during the interval (I_(n))
 9. A method for the desulfurization of an NO_(x) storage catalyst situated in an exhaust duct of a combustion engine, using at least one lambda probe situated downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst, where, for the desulfurization, the combustion engine is alternatingly operated in a lean operating mode at λ>1 and a rich operating mode at λ<1, wherein the progress of desulfurization is monitored, using the characteristic curve of a lambda-probe voltage (U_(n)) downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16), the lambda-probe voltage being ascertained after a specifiable interval after the beginning of an n_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)).
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the beginning of the n_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)) is determined by the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) falling below a specifiable lambda threshold value (S_(f)), and S_(f) is less than 1 and greater than a preselected lambda value (V_(f)) in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16).
 11. The method as recited in one of claims 9 through 10, wherein the specifiable interval corresponds to a time span.
 12. The method as recited in one of claims 9 through 10, wherein the specifiable interval corresponds to a mass of exhaust gas (mGas) passing through the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16).
 13. The method as recited in one of claims 9 through 10, wherein the specifiable interval corresponds to a mass of reducing agent (mRed) passing through the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16).
 14. The method as recited in one of claims 9 through 13, wherein the specifiable interval corresponds to the length of the rich operating phases (T_(f)).
 15. The method as recited in one of claims 9 through 14, wherein a difference (ΔU_(n,n−i)) of the lambda-probe voltage (U_(n)) of an n_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)) and a lambda-probe voltage (U_(n−i)) of a preceding (n−i)_(th) rich operating phase (T_(f,n)−i) is calculated, where i denotes a positive whole number, and the desulfurization being ended when the difference (ΔU_(n,n−i)) falls below a specifiable limiting value (ΔU_(G)) for the difference at least once.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the difference (ΔU_(n,n−1)) of the lambda-probe voltage (U_(n)) of an n_(th) rich operating phase and the lambda-probe voltage (U_(n−1)) of an (n−1)_(th) rich operating phase directly preceding it is calculated.
 17. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims 1 through 16, wherein, during the desulfurization, the time characteristic of the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) corresponds to a rectangular profile.
 18. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims 1 through 17, wherein, during the desulfurization, the time characteristic of the lambda value in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) corresponds to a triangular profile.
 19. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims 1 through 18, wherein a shift from a lean operating mode to a rich operating mode of the combustion engine (14) is triggered by a specifiable lambda threshold value (S_(m)) downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) being exceeded, S_(m) being greater than 1 and less than a preselected lambda value (V_(m)) in front of the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16).
 20. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims 1 through 19, wherein the change between the lean and rich operating modes is triggered, using selected time delays after the upper and lower threshold values for the lambda value downstream from the NO_(x) storage catalyst (16) have been exceeded and undershot, respectively. 